Running - Some days I just suck.

Tla0126
Tla0126 Posts: 207 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Many days, I can get out there and bust out a great run. Then, days like yesterday, I get out there and it feels like I'm done before I even started; like it's my first time running. What gives!!!

Surely I'm not the only one that struggles with this?
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Replies

  • PaytraB
    PaytraB Posts: 2,360 Member
    LOL! No, you're not the only one. These runs happen. Thankfully, they are rare. The good news is that (usually) the run after one of these runs is fantastic.
    Keep running.
  • hammondo
    hammondo Posts: 43 Member
    I get that too, but because I now run up to marathon distance (normally at least 8 miles 3 times a week during a normal non event training week) my body has tailored itself for long distance so the first 4 miles really suck. Only 18 months ago I couldn't imagine even running 4 miles!
  • scraver2003
    scraver2003 Posts: 526 Member
    I just Lol'ed. I hear ya. OMG. Some days, running sucks... other days I feel like I could run forever and everything is glorious!
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Yeah, I definitely have days when my thought process is "I'm dying, I am literally dying. This run suuuuuucks. Oh, car's coming. How long have I been running? Have I even been going ten minutes? Have I run a mile? Ughhh, worst run ever..."
  • lrichelle
    lrichelle Posts: 54 Member
    Yep, happens to me all the time. I remember running the Marine Corps Marathon in 2012 and was absolutely miserable, legs felt like lead, couldn't breathe, etc. The following week, I ran the Savannah Marathon and felt fantastic.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    Many days, I can get out there and bust out a great run. Then, days like yesterday, I get out there and it feels like I'm done before I even started; like it's my first time running. What gives!!!

    Surely I'm not the only one that struggles with this?

    Same here.


    And the funny thing is...there are times when I feel great before the run and have a bad run, and times I feel cruddy and have a good run!
  • Tla0126
    Tla0126 Posts: 207 Member

    And the funny thing is...there are times when I feel great before the run and have a bad run, and times I feel cruddy and have a good run!

    Ugh! Yes! The other day I went to happy hour, had a couple of beers, go home and literally forced myself to go run and it was AMAZING. WHAT!?!? lol
  • scraver2003
    scraver2003 Posts: 526 Member
    Yep, happens to me all the time. I remember running the Marine Corps Marathon in 2012 and was absolutely miserable, legs felt like lead, couldn't breathe, etc. The following week, I ran the Savannah Marathon and felt fantastic.

    OMG! I can NOT imagine having a "sucky run" for an entire marathon. oh my...
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    Ha! I literally just had this running moment.

    So not into it today.
  • 1HappyTurtleRunner
    1HappyTurtleRunner Posts: 125 Member
    Happens to me a lot, I get out there and the first few blocks I feel like I have never ran in my life. Then the next day I can run forever. Just depends on the day!
  • DBoone85
    DBoone85 Posts: 916 Member
    Do you do a warmup before your actual run? I find that if I plan to run 6 miles, I will do a warm up of about a mile at a slow, steady pace. Then stop and walk around...get a drink...whatever for 5-10 minutes, then actually run. It makes a HUGE difference in how the run goes. If I do not warm up, I am often miserable for the first 3 miles. If I warm up, my runs are so much better for the duration....
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    I look at it this way, I've never had a bad run, just some that weren't as easy as others. Cheesy I know.
  • thavoice
    thavoice Posts: 1,326 Member
    Do you do a warmup before your actual run? I find that if I plan to run 6 miles, I will do a warm up of about a mile at a slow, steady pace. Then stop and walk around...get a drink...whatever for 5-10 minutes, then actually run. It makes a HUGE difference in how the run goes. If I do not warm up, I am often miserable for the first 3 miles. If I warm up, my runs are so much better for the duration....

    Good points, but may be reserved for the more savvy runners!

    I used to wonder WTF those people were doing before a 5K race in running a half mile to a mile to WARM UP. I was like No Way I was ever gonna do that!

    Now I will get some running in before a race or PT test. For regular training runs though I dont but yeah, it does make a difference
  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
    Running is for criminals. I kid. I kid. ;-)
  • Tla0126
    Tla0126 Posts: 207 Member
    Yeah - my regular run, i'm sure, is identical to some people's warm up runs...

    I'm slow :o)
  • DBoone85
    DBoone85 Posts: 916 Member
    Yeah - my regular run, i'm sure, is identical to some people's warm up runs...

    I'm slow :o)

    It does not matter how fast, or slow you are.....treat your body right, and it will work better for you.
  • mish26
    mish26 Posts: 60 Member
    I think it happens to everyone. I had one of those this morning. I'm really hoping tomorrow is better.
  • randomworldgirl
    randomworldgirl Posts: 106 Member
    I didn't read all the replies, but...

    Think about how much it would suck if you didn't run at all.
  • lrichelle
    lrichelle Posts: 54 Member
    Pre-run happy hour! I should try that! :smile:
  • litsy3
    litsy3 Posts: 783 Member

    I used to wonder WTF those people were doing before a 5K race in running a half mile to a mile to WARM UP. I was like No Way I was ever gonna do that!

    Now I will get some running in before a race or PT test. For regular training runs though I dont but yeah, it does make a difference

    Haha, good thing you didn't see me running 3 to 3.5 miles to warm up! :tongue:
  • ElliottTN
    ElliottTN Posts: 1,614 Member

    And the funny thing is...there are times when I feel great before the run and have a bad run, and times I feel cruddy and have a good run!

    Ugh! Yes! The other day I went to happy hour, had a couple of beers, go home and literally forced myself to go run and it was AMAZING. WHAT!?!? lol

    You should find a local hash house harriers club if your body liked the beer/running mix. Mine enjoys it as well.

    but yeah

    sometimes a 9 minute pace can feel like you're in hell when a few days ago you were hitting a 7 minute pace for miles feeling like a rockstar. It just happens. When it happens to me I just tell myself to think about it as mental training rather than physical. You are going to feel like this the last couple of miles of a hard race so why not mentally train through so you will be more prepared to handle it when it counts. That probably doesn't make sense to anyone else but me as my logic is a bit weird sometimes......
  • Tla0126
    Tla0126 Posts: 207 Member
    I warm up walk... If I run any slower, I'll be walking. It evens out.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    There are no good or bad runs just different runs. Some runs your fast, some your slow. Some you're tired other you are not. That's just the ebb and flow of it.
  • vharding7
    vharding7 Posts: 48 Member
    Do you do a warmup before your actual run? I find that if I plan to run 6 miles, I will do a warm up of about a mile at a slow, steady pace. Then stop and walk around...get a drink...whatever for 5-10 minutes, then actually run. It makes a HUGE difference in how the run goes. If I do not warm up, I am often miserable for the first 3 miles. If I warm up, my runs are so much better for the duration....

    I might have to try this. I've been running into the same issue except lately I've been having less good runs and more horrible "i feel like dying" kind of runs lol Thanks for the idea!
  • DBoone85
    DBoone85 Posts: 916 Member
    There are no good or bad runs just different runs. Some runs your fast, some your slow. Some you're tired other you are not. That's just the ebb and flow of it.

    As a lifelong runner, I disagree. There are bad runs. There are runs where your body is not in synch...where you break form,,,and if you do that, you need to stop and do something different becasue if you break form and push yourself, you will end up doing damage to yourself structurally.

    There are good runs that feel great....there are good runs that feel bad...and there are bad runs that you just need to tap out and come back tomorrow. It is very important to learn to distinguish between them for your own health....
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Eh, I have no problem calling a bad run a bad run. Considering it to be bad doesn't mean that I regret doing it. If anything, I tend to remember when I make it through bad runs more than when I make it through easy ones. I mean, it's easy to exercise when everything goes perfectly. When something goes wrong and I stick with it anyway? Now that's something that makes me proud or gives me a boost. And on the rare day when it goes really bad and I just go home? I feel good the next day when I try it again and it goes right.
  • scraver2003
    scraver2003 Posts: 526 Member
    I agree 112% with DBoone85 and jemhh. Yes. Yes. There are bad runs. Absolutely. And knowing when to call it a day and try again the next - that has really actually helped me. Knowing that it is ok to shorten the bad runs and run longer when the runs are good. Sometimes I need to push myself and sometimes I need to go home. Sometimes I just need to push through the bad run and consider it a training experience and sometimes I just go home, rest, and do a longer run the next day. Realizing that I can alter my schedule to suit me, I have been able to enjoy it more AND be more consistent. That consistency has really helped me improve.
  • ShibaEars
    ShibaEars Posts: 3,928 Member
    Yep, I know that feeling! It also applies to lifting weights. Some days are amazing & I can lift super heavy (for me). The next I struggle with lighter weights.

    There are so many factors that can affect a run - maybe you got less sleep, maybe you're a bit more stressed, who knows! It's frustrating, but it happens. At least you know there are better runs in the future!
  • teenie_71
    teenie_71 Posts: 44
    This happens to me too. Probably at least a few times a month.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Many days, I can get out there and bust out a great run. Then, days like yesterday, I get out there and it feels like I'm done before I even started; like it's my first time running. What gives!!!

    Surely I'm not the only one that struggles with this?

    Only you and everyone who has laced up a pair of running shoes. There are so many factors at play (sleep, fuel, weather, mood) that it can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of a particularly awful run.....the good news is that the more you run you have far fewer runs that suck.

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